IN THE COMMUNITY

"It didn't take me long to commit": Disabled puppy finds a home

Published on: Jul 26, 2016

With so many dogs and cats out there looking for homes, it can often be hard for any of them to catch the attention of a potential owner. There’s a lot of competition, and it can be especially difficult if the pet in question suffers from a disability. For little Fanny, a newborn wirehaired pointing griffon with a malformed left foreleg, the right owner came about at the right time. Kristin Halliwill, a pet photographer and Veterinary Technician (at VEC South in Toronto), already had an eight-year-old griffon, MacDuff, from Bourg-Royal breeders in Quebec.

Over the years, Kristin had developed a relationship with Bourg-Royal’s Renee Fortier and Gilbert Tremblay. When one of their puppies was born with leg issues, the Tremblays contacted her for advice. “Renee and Gilbert contacted me about the puppy because I work with the best surgeons and rehab people available,” says Kristin. “She was hoping I would have some insight as to whether anything could be done for the puppy and how best to help her, either from my own experiences or from asking the doctors I work with what they thought.

“After hearing about her and being sent a few images of her, I had felt, deep down, that I was in a unique position to help this little gal. It didn’t take me long to commit.” Although Kristin has never cared for a disabled pet before, her dog MacDuff has had numerous medical procedures.

“MacDuff has had his share of orthopedic issues I’ve had to see him through,” she says, “with the support of Petsecure, of course. He’s had two TPLO procedures, a ventral slot procedure and extensive rehab, so I knew I was up to the challenge.”

According to specialists, there’s no definitive way of knowing how an issue like Fanny’s occurs. Going forward, she may not be as fast as other dogs who have full use of all four legs, but should otherwise do well. Amputation of the leg will only be considered if it becomes too much of a bother to her. Fanny is currently part of our Breedsecure program and will soon be transitioning to a regular Petsecure plan.

“She’ll never be 100% typical, but they say she’ll develop normally and never be hindered by this issue, as she’s never known any different,” says Kristin.

“She will still run, play, swim and wrestle with the best of them! All in all, she’s expected to lead a happy healthy life.”

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